Happy trails in Fullerton

Fullerton's bustling downtown and the bumper-to-bumper traffic on the 91 are a world away from the expansive trails that lace the city's landscape.

The city's trails make up 28 miles of passages; some are developed with manicured landscaping and pristine fencing, while others feel like a trek through the wilderness.

The trails have carried horseback riders, bikers and people walking their dogs.

One of those trails, the Bud Turner Trail, finished $460,000 of upgrades in April. Through a grant from the state, the city improved the trail's surface and added water crossings and picnic areas. And two years ago, the Hiltscher Trail, running west of Euclid Street to Crestview Drive, was improved with refurbishments costing $530,000.

“Before, it was just a steep slope,” said Alice Loya, a city Parks and Recreation Department manager. “We added steps, rocks, dirt, grading and landscaping. A traffic light was added for pedestrians.”

Improvements over the last two years cost about $125,000, including labor, material and equipment.

Fullerton's trail history dates to the horse community, when the Fullerton Recreational Riders started the system in the 1930s and '40s. Many trails are named after former horseback riders, including Bud Turner, who was influential in the development of Fullerton's Equestrian Center, and Juanita Cooke, who served as the city liaison for the Fullerton Recreational Riders.

A striking aspect of the Brea Dam trail is the solitude.

“When you're down at the bottom of the trail, there's a big creek,” Loya said. “You don't even notice the homes, even though they're there.”

Another trail, the Panorama Trail, is a steep challenge with a reward at the end – a view of the mountains and Los Angeles.

“Especially after the rain, it's beautiful,” Recreation Supervisor John Clements said. “It's like the Emerald City in the ‘Wizard of Oz.'”

Other trails are “unofficial,” following the train tracks, which were heavily used in the early 1900s.

“People don't realize trains still run where these trails are,” Loya said. “They come in the middle of the night, that's why.”

Fullerton's general plan requires 4 acres of parkland for every 1,000 residents. Currently, the city has 5.05 acres for every 1,000 residents.

“People like to live in Fullerton because it is not cookie cutter,” Loya said of the recreational variety. “We have open spaces, parks and trails. It's really a livable community.